By: centraljersey.com
HILLSBOROUGH – A New Year’s Day tradition in Hillsborough hit a 10-year milestone as nearly 600 runners and walkers came out for the Resolution Run 5K.
With temperatures that reached the mid-40s by the 11 a.m. race time, many participants were able to run in shorts, although quite a few also sported warmer winter attire. The 10th annual Resolution Run 5K had been sold out for several weeks.
Both the male and the female winners of the 3.1-mile race hail from Hillsborough. Jordan Magath, a standout Hillsborough High runner now at the University of Connecticut, won in a time of 16 minutes, 6 seconds, while Mary Dombrowski, a current Hillsborough High runner, won the female title in 19 minutes, 28 seconds.
"This was Jordan’s second consecutive win and he bettered his previous time by 10 seconds," Race Director Gary Verhoorn noted. "Mary’s time is very impressive. Both athletes are on track to set new course records next year."
The Resolution Run 5K was planned as a low-key, fun celebration of the new year for all levels of runners and walkers. The race, held since 2002, starts and ends at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex. The first race had 268 finishers, and due to its popularity the race has been capped at 600 for the last several years.
Runners and walkers of all ages were registered. The youngest was a 7-year-old from Hillsborough, while the oldest was Lloyd Kornblatt, 87, of Princeton. They each received a special gift. Awards were given to the 10 runners who had participated in all 10 races over the years.
The race asks participants to supply a resolution, which is published on the race’s website. Special prizes were given to the funniest, most original and most meaningful resolutions.
Although mostly a local, family-oriented event, runners from three countries (Spain, Ireland and the U.S.) were registered and runners and walkers represented 12 states. An award was given to the person who traveled the farthest (Barcelona, Spain).
More than half of the proceeds of the Resolution Run 5K are contributed to Hillsborough’s Project Graduation and the remainder is divided among several local nonprofit pet rescue groups.
Project Graduation 2011 is dedicated to the graduating class of Hillsborough High School. Graduates enjoy a high-spirited, all-night celebration and party immediately following the commencement exercises in June. This popular local effort is part of a nationally recognized program whose goal is to provide a drug-and-alcohol-free celebration of life while giving graduates a positive sendoff.
Project Graduation 2011 will be the 20th annual event and is supported by the Hillsborough Township Youth Commission, parent volunteers, the senior class, faculty and school administration and many other township residents and officials.
Carol’s Cats is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cat rescue and adoption programs. This organization has been rescuing and giving cats up for adoption since 1995. Carol’s Cats specializes in the rescue of feral and abandoned cats.
CAP Rescue (Companion Animal Placement) of Hillsborough has been heavily involved in local and national rescue operations, including several trips to New Orleans to rescue stranded dogs after Hurricane Katrina.
Greyhound Friends of New Jersey is dedicated to the rescue, appreciation and care of the greyhound dog. It rescues as many as it can from possible death after racing and give them appropriate medical care. Greyhounds are placed in safe, loving homes.
Mr. Verhoorn thanked the Hillsborough Township Police Department, the Hillsborough Rescue Squad, the township administration, the Township Committee, the Board of Education and the Township Youth Services Committee and its Project Graduation Committee.
Mr. Verhoorn noted that more than 40 volunteers were on hand to help with indoor and outdoor activities, including race number distribution, course marshals, finish line organization and post-race food distribution. Project Graduation supplied students and parents as volunteers and the benefit pet groups also had volunteers. The Somerset Runners Club supported the Race Committee throughout the year and also on the day of the race with additional volunteers.
The race director thanked the many race sponsors for helping with the effort. The race presenter was Hillsborough Massage Therapy.
There were four Platinum Sponsors: Harlingen Veterinary Clinic, Princeton Orthopaedic Associates, Hillsborough Podiatry Group-Dr. Marc Mizrachy and Foothill Acres Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
Gold Sponsors consisted of Advanced Eyecare & Vision Gallery-Dr. Barbara J. Tarbell, Applebee’s Family Restaurant, Bagel Bistro Grille, Joseph Cioce, Esq., Koerner & Crane, Attorneys, Nielsen Financial Group, Petrock’s Bar & Grill and Reckitt Benckiser.
Schilke Construction Co., StrengthCondition.com and Wheel Life Cycles were sponsors.
Patrons consisted of All For Her Sports, All County Title & Abstract Co, Dubitsky Dental, JML Landscaping, Kathleen Academy of Dance, Mueve & Bfit, Route 206 Farmers Market, Van Cleef Engineering Associates, Wegmans of Bridgewater and the Women’s Club of Hillsborough.
The Bank Honor Role Sponsor this year was the Peapack-Gladstone Bank.
Contributions were made by Pathmark of Hillsborough, ShopRite of Hillsborough and Stop & Shop of Hillsborough. ShopRite also provided the recyclable bags that held gifts and information provided by sponsors for each runner.
Runners were asked to bring a donation for the Hillsborough Township Food Bank.
"The response was overwhelming," Mr. Verhoorn said. "We thought we might just get a few cans and jars, but we were able to donate hundreds of pounds of needed food and supplies."
The Resolution Run 5K takes place on a USA Track & Field certified 3.1 mile course starting and ending at the township Municipal Complex. The course is "walker friendly" and many families participate each year as a part of their New Year’s Day reunions. Participants receive a unique hooded, long-sleeved sweatshirt (a "Hoody") and a finisher’s ribbon. This year, the Race Committee gave each finisher a New Jersey Lottery ticket to commemorate the 10th anniversary.
Awards were given to the overall top three female and male finishers and to the top three finishers in each five-year age group. The race also recognized the top female and male master’s (40+) runners. A total of 92 awards were available.
The Resolution Run 5K is a project of the Resolutions for Others Foundation. Established by Mr. Verhoorn in 2001, the foundation is registered as a charitable, nonprofit corporation with the state of New Jersey.
Direct links and contacts to Project Graduation and the other groups can be found at the website for the race, www.resolutionrun.org. Questions, comments, suggestions or requests for more information can be directed to [email protected].
Additional information about the Resolution Run 5K, including the actual resolutions of the participants, can be found at www.resolutionrun.org.
Race day photos are available at www.uscandids.com and results can be found at www.compuscore.com.

